The local council (consiliul local) is the local authority’s deliberative assembly. It is composed of councillors elected by direct universal suffrage for a four-year term. The number of councillors is determined by order of the prefect based on the demographic size of the local authority. The local council’s work revolves around economic, social and environmental development, public and private property and the management of public services.

The mayor (primarul) is the local authority’s executive body and is elected by direct universal suffrage for a period of four years. He/she is responsible for the local budget and public services. The mayor also represents the local authority vis-à-vis other authorities, represents the national government within the municipality, town or city, and cooperates with the decentralised departments of national government ministries and specialised units present within its jurisdiction.

The county council (consiliul judetean) is composed of members elected by direct universal suffrage for a four-year term. It monitors the implementation of provisions outlined in public administration-related legislation. The council is also responsible for the distribution of public funds, for the economic, social and environmental development of the county, for managing county property and for managing certain public services.

The president (presedinte) heads the county council and is elected by direct universal suffrage for a period of four years. He/she is in charge of the legal representation of the council vis-à-vis third parties. The president can delegate responsibilities to the two vice-presidents, appointed by the members of the county council.

The prefect (prefect) is appointed by the national government. The prefect is the guarantor of law and order at the local level and ensures the legality of the administrative acts adopted by local public administration authorities. He/she represents the national government within the county and ensures that national government strategies and programmes are implemented at the regional level. There are 42 prefects in total: one for each county and one for the capital city of Bucharest.